Thongchai ready for a fight #ThailandClassic

Hua Hin, Thailand, February 11: Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee is ready to put up a fight against the best players from the Asian Tour and European Tour when the inaugural US$2 million True Thailand Classic presented by Black Mountain kicks off on Thursday.The three-time Asian Tour number one will spearhead the local challenge at the richest golf tournament in the Kingdom, which is also the first co-sanctioned tournament by both Tours in Thailand in eight years.Ranked 39th in the world, the Thai maestro finished in the top-35 in his first two events of the year in the Middle East before going on to post a tied-20th result in Malaysia last week.“I’ve been on the road for the past three weeks. While I’ve been playing consistently, I feel I haven’t hit top form yet. This week’s tournament is a big one and I want to do my best and move up the world ranking,” said Thongchai.Arguably one of Thailand’s best exports to the golfing world, Thongchai has won twice on European soil and is a 13-time winner on the region’s premier Tour.He has high expectations of the home challenge and tips the local contingent that include compatriots Thaworn Wiratchant, Prayad Marksaeng, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Prom Meesawat and Chapchai Nirat to do well.“Thai players should do pretty well this week but a lot of it will come down to timing and opportunity.“The course conditions are superb and the greens are very fast. I believe whoever putts well this week will win this tournament,” said Thongchai.Standing in Thongchai’s way of a home victory is Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, a 15-time European Tour winner, who is seeking his first win in Asia this week.The Dane has triumphed in Europe, Australia, the Middle East and Africa and hopes to add another feather to his cap with a win at the Thailand Classic.“It’s nice to be back in Thailand after such a long time. Everything is in good shape. I’m coming off a good break and I’m raring to go,” said Bjorn, ranked just one place higher than Thongchai in 38th place on the Official World Golf Ranking.The Dane holds the Black Mountain Golf Club in high regard and is planning to outsmart his rivals with an astute master plan.“It’s an interesting golf course in the sense that you feel as if there are a lot of opportunities out there. But it has the most interesting set of greens I’ve seen for a while – very fast and tricky.“The scoring will be good, but you will have to play a lot with your brain. You can’t be too aggressive because you’ll leave yourself some horrendous putts. So it’s about being smart and at the same time there are birdie opportunities, so you have to balance out being aggressive and being clever,” said Bjorn.Sweden’s Johan Edfors, who spends his winters living at Black Mountain, is hoping the event can help him rediscover his best form, having struggled with injury over the past two seasons.“It’s been a couple of rough years, mainly off the course, and I’ve had a few injuries as well so I had a long break. I played some Challenge Tour events towards the end of last year and started playing a bit better, and managed to win one (Shankai Classic presented by IDG) so I’ve got some kind of status this year at least. Hopefully I can get the game back on track,” said Edfors, whose last victory on the Asian Tour came at the Black Mountain Golf Club in 2009.Tickets are now available for purchase at ThaiticketMajor, with admission fees of 400 THB for a single day pass on Thursday (R1) and Friday (R2). The fee is 800 THB for a single day pass on Saturday (R3) and Sunday (Final Round). There is a four-day season pass priced at 1,200 THB. Children and youths (under 16 years old) and senior citizens (over 65 years old) are allowed to enter for free. For further ticketing reservations, purchasing and information, please contact 02-262-3456 or www.thaiticketmajor.comMore details about the Thailand Classic are available on www.golfthailandclassic.com , www.facebook.com/golfthailandclassic and www.twitter.com/golfthaiclassicEnds.About the Asian TourAs the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include FENIX Golf (Official Apparel Partner), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Sponsor), Oakley (Official Eyewear and Footwear Sponsor), PRG (Official Accessories Supplier), Srixon (Official Ball), Titleist (Official Web Partner) and Rolex (Official Timekeeper). The Asian Tour has offices in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Also, visit us at www.asiantour.com , www.facebook.com/asiantourgolf , www.twitter.com/asiantourgolf , www.youtube.com/theasiantour and www.weibo.com/asiantourgolf .About MUSE GroupMuse Group is a boutique marketing agency, specializing in music, and sports and entertainment. Operating in five offices across the Asian region, Muse was the promoter of the FC Barcelona and Liverpool FC Summer Tours in 2014. It is the exclusive marketing agency for the newly-launched Chang International Circuit in Buriram.About Black Mountain Golf Club, Hua HinA challenging yet highly enjoyable design, the course enjoys sweeping vistas from almost every hole, and tour-standard conditions. Since opening in 2007, Black Mountain has hosted three Asian Tour events, including the 2014 King’s Cup, and has won a string of international awards. Black Mountain is the only course in Thailand ever to be named in Golf Digest’s Top 100 Courses (outside the US), and also to receive the accolade “Best Course in Thailand” for the past FOUR years in a row. Also in December 2014, Asian Golf Monthly Magazine voted Black Mountain as the "Best Course in Asia Pacific" and "Best Championship Course in Asia Pacific". Additionally, the magnificent Par 3 sister course may be the best you will ever play. Set in a natural valley, there is water on every hole, requiring precise shot-making and concentration, just as you need on the full length course! Outstanding services, the most modern carts and electric buggies available, first class practice facilities and a modern clubhouse overlooking the course make Black Mountain a golf experience you will long remember. Combine all of the above with a world class restaurant and a 5-star Spa, then you have the complete package for the perfect golfing destination.

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